Stater Bros

FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT STATER BROS

Marisa O'Neil When a plan to help out needy families at Sonora Elementary School started to fall apart, Planning Commissioner Katrina Foley knew exactly where to go. She went to her contact list and sent out about 150 pleas for help. Now, parents, lawyers and clowns are signed on to adopt 20 local families for the holidays. "I'm doing it because I want to give to those less fortunate than I am," Foley said. "It's a good way to give during the holiday season."

Last week's grocery store bargain roundup seemed to be very popular with readers, so we'll continue this week with a surprising newsflash: There's an asparagus price war going on at many of the major supermarkets. Vons/Pavilions, Stater Bros. and Fresh & Easy, which opened a new branch at Newport and Harbor boulevards Wednesday, all are offering the fresh, rumored aphrodisiac just before Valentine's Day for less than $1 per pound. No, that's not a typo. Want more desire-enhancing menu options?

Lolita Harper COSTA MESA -- A meeting on Wednesday designed to coordinate efforts to rid city streets of abandoned shopping carts served to educate grocers and city officials and forge commitments to work together in the future. Although no clear-cut solution was agreed upon, retail store representatives said they have a better understanding of the severity of the shopping cart dilemma and are willing to work with the city to alleviate the problem.

The Harbor Mesa Lions rocked and roared at the annual District Convention in Ventura, according to Carol Van Holt. They were definitely “the” winning club, receiving many honors and awards. They achieved the honors of: Division B Club of the Year, Visitation Club of the Year and also the winning centerpiece contest. Members receiving honors were: President of the Year, Gina Stansbury, Region Secretary of the Year, Jennifer Kelder and Winning Bulletin Editor, Carol Van Holt.

Costa Mesa police tackled a man on the Santa Ana Country Club golf course after authorities say he nearly ran over a police officer and crashed a car through a fence into the country club while fleeing the scene of a suspected drug deal in a grocery store parking lot on Friday night. Police shot a second man involved in the incident with a Taser gun after he fled the parking lot on foot. Law enforcement officials now believe that the men were involved in an identity-theft scheme involving stolen bank account information, said Costa Mesa Police Lt. Clay Epperson.

A Costa Mesa teen will appear in court Monday on accusations that he drunkenly tried to rob a Stater Bros. supermarket Thursday night. Victor Hugo, 18, was arrested after police say he visited the supermarket at 1175 W. Baker St. to steal liquor. Police say employees confronted Hugo after they saw him stuffing bottles in his pants. Workers tried to get the liquor back, but Hugo resisted, said Sgt. Zack Hoferitza. When a manager grabbed Hugo and grounded him, Hugo bit his arm, police said.

Deirdre Newman Six-year-old Tyra Kennedy stood next to a box of fireworks that was almost as tall as she was, eager to tear off the plastic and get the Fourth of July started on Saturday afternoon. "I love fireworks," she sang as she wrapped her arms around the box and lifted it up. Tyra had come to the fireworks stand in the parking lot of Stater Bros. supermarket on Newport Boulevard with her brother, Tyler, 9, and dad, Dennis Kennedy, who plunked down close to $200 for a box of eclectic fireworks called The Big One. "I could just take $200 and light it on fire, but this is more fun," Dennis Kennedy said.

The Costa Mesa Police Assn. is holding a Halloween safety event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday outside of the Stater Bro.'s grocery store, 1175 W. Baker St. Hotdogs will be served for lunch and candy will be given away to city residents, said Allen Rieckhof, president of the association. Residents will also have a chance to meet members of the Police Department to discuss safety tips. The Police Department members will also be giving away glow sticks for children who are getting ready to trick or treat on Halloween, Rieckhof said.

-- Andrew Glazer COSTA MESA -- They'll come in with a bang and will disappear in a flash. Vendors, sheltered in 33 brightly painted wooden stands in the city, were scheduled to begin selling fireworks this morning. Proceeds, which one seller predicts may be as much as $5,000 per stand, will go to a variety of city social service agencies. "Money we raise will help boy scout troops experience a good summer," said Bud Hohl, a volunteer vendor from the Youth Services Assn.

Police are looking for information and possibly more cases involving two men they arrested last week and suspect of illegally withdrawing money from other people’s automated teller machine accounts and using their stolen credit and debit card information for purchases. Friday night, Costa Mesa police arrested Paul Hastings, 36, of San Juan Capistrano, and 29-year-old Rafael Aldaco of Whittier after authorities say they saw the men acting suspiciously in an area known for drug activity.